Flanders Poppies in a Landscape

It is impossible to translate all the feelings a field of poppies gives. I enjoyed painting separate flowers and groups of flowers, but something was missing in what I was trying to say. That is when I knew that I had to try and paint a bigger view - and what a joy it was!

Almost Green Hills of Pleasanton in Gouache

A wonderful trip to Pleasanton and a hike in the hills with sketching with friends. I had a plan to keep all my sketches of that day feeling like they were a series, and I think it almost worked. Gouache on all sorts of paper - one was a blotter page, I think - which is a shame - I like that sketch a lot.

California Poppies - and my gouache palette.

There is a wonderful little house in my neighborhood with a mesmerizing field of red poppies in front of it. Of course, there are some California poppies in the mix too. Painting these with gouache was pure joy! But my palette needs a major overhaul - so I spent some time trying to choose what colors to keep and what to let go of.